Foundation

The King’s Singers share a passion for music that was ignited in our youth. We were fortunate to sing and play instruments at home, at school and at University, in churches and concert halls. We are united in the belief that learning music has a unique power to stimulate and improve the mind and to bring people together. The Foundation is a registered charity, committed to supporting those with limited access to choral music and to furthering the development of gifted musicians and composers. Activity falls into four main categories: Inspire, Share, Nurture and Invite.

KS Inspire: Music education workshops

The King’s Singers Foundation works with schools, universities and amateur choirs and ensembles nationwide, creating opportunities for those wanting to learn from all walks of life, particularly for those with limited access to the arts, to discover the joy of ensemble singing in choral workshops.

The King’s Singers, alongside specialist animateurs – and most importantly teachers & choir directors so they to can learn and continue to inspire – run choral workshops where singers can come together to explore the craft and fun of choral music-making..

Example Projects: Royal Rhyme and Rounds – a celebration of musical and lyrical rounds with workshops led by one of the UK’s leading animateurs, Richard Frostick, vocal coach Lynette Alcantara, and the ICS in Marlborough, Worcester, and St. Asaph.

KS Share: An online resource for singers worldwide

The Foundation has started to create a substantial online library of articles, Q&A’s sessions with prominent contributors to the vocal world, Featured Ensembles and educational videos & blogs. These resources cover a wide range of musical skills, techniques and tips covering some of the key issues that performers face, both on and off the stage. This resource is free to all, fuelled by the group’s wealth of experience and enthusiasm, continuing in face to face live video feeds where the group talk about current issues, with the opportunity to have your queries answered.

KS Nurture: Commissioning new works

The Foundation is committed to maintaining and developing the international choral canon by commissioning new works from established composers that will enrich the choral repertoire.

New works from James MacMillan (A Rumoured Seed) and Pawel Lukaszewski (Tenebrae Responsoria) were supported by the Foundation, along with the creation of performing editions of ‘Tributes to Josquin Des Prez’ and ‘Biblical Passions’ (Palestrina) by Dr David Skinner of Cambridge University.

KS Invite: Making concerts more accessible

The King’s Singers passionately believe that music is a gift to be shared. Through the provision of transport, and free or substantially discounted concert tickets, we can offer accessibility to choral music and to the arts in general where it may otherwise be limited, and to facilitate concerts and events that are presented and performed by The King’s Singers free of charge.

The Foundation is pleased to support an initiative to create new music through A Carol for Christmas. Young and upcoming composers are invited to submit a Carol to a panel of judges (Stephen Cleobury, John Rutter, Richard Causton and a member of The King’s Singers) across four categories (Community SATB under-18 and over-18 and for The King’s Singers) with winning Carols being performed in King’s College Chapel in Cambridge. Each of the winning composers receives a recording of their new work and the opportunity to have their piece published by Edition Peters and heard on Classic FM. Choirs around the country (such as Quay Voices from Newcastle and Inner Voices from London) learn the winning pieces in the months before the performance and take part in the event in the Chapel with their travel and associated costs being covered by the Foundation.

We have also been pleased to facilitate the attendance of a large group of elderly guests from Age UK at the final concert of The KS Summer School in July 2015, providing mini-bus transportation and tea on arrival alongside the opportunity to meet the group before and after the concert.

Patrons

The King’s Singers Foundation is able to achieve its aims only with the generous support of its Patrons. We would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to all of our Patrons for your continuing support.